Allen Imsong
Kohima
On reading the coverage of Community Education Centre (CEC) carried out in the local dailies, my curiosity led me to delve into the history and activities of CEC and found out that here in our midst is an institution serving as a ‘light’ to those little children in the ‘dark’ far away from the comforts and joys of a civilized world. These less privileged children are for real who need a helping hand. This institute, presently located at Grace Colony, Nagarjan ‘C’ in Dimapur, was established with the support of World Vision in 1999 at Rail Bazaar. Today it has grown into a full fledged educational centre with classes up to Standard VI with 18 teachers and 500 students.
However, ever since the parent sponsoring body left the school in 2005 on completion of their project duration, the school management has landed in troubled waters due to financial constraint. At present, the school is being looked after by a team of selfless and dedicated teachers. It is learnt that they go on without proper salary most of the time out of compassion for the students. As of now, the school survives on the little contributions from few philanthropists who have come to the rescue sensing the nobility of the institution. Since the students come from the poorest section of the society, the teachers, despite their meager income, end up buying text as well as note books for them. Hence, a kind gesture from the concerned authorities for provision of free text books to the students would be of tremendous help and highly appreciated.
CEC is also having difficulty in acquiring financial aids from any corner because it is yet to be registered. Considering the genuineness of the institution, it would be noble on the part of the concerned authorities if due recognition from the government side at the realiest so as to elevate the plight of the poor students because this institution is ‘happening’. Besides, from a personal perspective I should say that when a foreign organization could come and initiate any humanitarian or developmental project in our land, we should step in and help carry on their mission because it is for our well being - CEC Dimapur is one of such. Everything we have is from God and He has blessed us with a purpose - to pass it on where there are needs.
The students and teachers of CEC greatly need our love, support and encouragement. And so for that matter, if anyone wants to contribute something towards humanity, especially to the least of the brethrens, you can pay a visit to CEC and experience a hand on mission. Give what you can and feel the joy of making a difference in somebody’s life today! As you ponder on this, may these words of Mother Teresa, one of the greatest epitomes on giving, ring in your hearts: “Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.”
